Daniel Rich staying with Brisbane Lions for next three seasons

BRISBANE star Daniel Rich says it was an easy decision to re-sign with the Lions.

As revealed exclusively on SuperFooty this morning, the 23-year-old agreed to terms with the club yesterday on a three-year deal that will keep the midfielder at the Gabba until the end of the 2016 season.

The WA product said it was relief to get the deal done and there was never any danger of him leaving the club.

"It was always a matter of time,'' he said.

"I'm rapt to be here for the next three years and to push forward with such a good group and good club in a great state.

"It was just like buying a house that you love, I suppose. It is something that happens over a number of weeks.''

The 2009 Rising Star winner said a variety of factors kept him in Queensland and away from the clutches of the two WA clubs and GWS.

"It was a lot of things. The direction the club is heading ... the playing group is a wonderful group and I believe as long we stick together we are going to go places,'' he said.

"The coaching group, the culture of the club and also the state as well, it suits me pretty well.''

Rich will play his 89th senior match when the Lions take on Hawthorn in Launceston on Sunday and he said Brisbane had nothing to lose after last week's stirring win against Geelong.

Of all the members of Brisbane's "Generation Next", Rich, Irishman Pearce Hanley and ruckman Matthew Leuenberger are the ones capable of becoming genuine AFL A-listers.

Leuenberger agreed to a new two-year deal last week, along with Dayne Zorko, who signed a three-year contract extension.

Hanley will be the next cab off the rank with the Lions and his management are already in deep negotiations.

Hanley is represented by the same player manager, Paul Connors, as Leuenberger and Rich and is expected to recommit to Brisbane in the coming weeks.